Research Ethics
The International Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Fertility Sciences is committed to promoting responsible, ethical, and scientifically sound research. Authors are expected to conduct research in accordance with applicable ethical standards, institutional requirements, and relevant laws and regulations. The journal publishes research covering assisted reproduction, fertility sciences, reproductive medicine, maternal health, and related areas.
1. Ethical Conduct of Research
Research submitted to the International Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Fertility Sciences should be conducted honestly, responsibly, and with appropriate consideration for the rights, safety, dignity, and welfare of research participants.
Authors are responsible for ensuring that their research complies with applicable ethical requirements.
2. Research Involving Human Participants
Studies involving human participants should follow recognized ethical principles and applicable institutional and regulatory requirements.
Where applicable, manuscripts should provide information regarding:
- Ethics committee or institutional review board approval.
- Name of the approving institution or committee.
- Ethical approval or reference number, where available.
- Informed consent procedures.
- Measures taken to protect participant privacy and confidentiality.
3. Informed Consent
Appropriate informed consent should be obtained from participants when required by the nature of the research.
Consent procedures should be clearly described in the manuscript, particularly for studies involving clinical information, reproductive health, fertility treatment, or other sensitive personal information.
4. Privacy and Confidentiality
Authors must protect the privacy and confidentiality of research participants.
Personally identifiable information should not be published unless there is an appropriate ethical and legal basis and, where required, specific consent has been obtained.
5. Clinical and Medical Research
Research involving patients, clinical interventions, reproductive treatments, or medical records should comply with applicable clinical research and ethical requirements.
Authors should clearly explain relevant ethical safeguards and approvals where applicable.
6. Research Involving Sensitive Reproductive Information
Research in assisted reproduction and fertility sciences may involve highly sensitive information concerning:
- Infertility
- Fertility treatments
- Assisted reproductive technologies
- Pregnancy
- Reproductive health
- Genetic information
- Embryological information
- Maternal and fetal health
Authors must take appropriate measures to protect the confidentiality, dignity, and privacy of individuals involved in such research.
7. Animal Research
Where research involves animals, authors should follow applicable institutional, national, and international ethical requirements for animal care and use.
The manuscript should provide relevant information about ethical approval and animal welfare procedures where applicable.
8. Data Integrity
Research data must be collected, analyzed, and reported accurately.
The following practices are unacceptable:
- Fabrication of data.
- Falsification of results.
- Deliberate manipulation of research findings.
- Misrepresentation of methods or results.
- Selective reporting intended to create a misleading conclusion.
9. Ethical Approval
When ethical approval is required, authors should obtain approval before conducting the relevant research.
The manuscript should include appropriate details regarding ethical approval. If ethical approval is not required, authors should provide a suitable explanation where relevant.
10. Clinical Trials and Registration
Where applicable, clinical trials and other regulated research should be registered in an appropriate recognized registry before or according to the requirements applicable to the study.
